From Afghanistan to America, family matters most in this empowering mystery ("Publishers Weekly"), a companion to "Shooting Kabul," which "Kirkus Reviews "called a story with much to offer.
A rough and tumble tomboy, twelve-year-old Ariana couldn t be more different from her cousin Laila, who just arrived from Afghanistan with her family. Laila is a proper, ladylike Afghan girl, one who can cook, sew, sing, and who is well versed in Pukhtun culture and manners. Arianna hates her. Laila not only invades Ariana s bedroom in their cramped Fremont townhouse, but she also becomes close with Mariam Nurzai, Ariana s best friend.
Then a rival Afghan grocery store opens near Ariana s family store, reigniting a decades-old feud tracing back to Afghanistan. The cousins, Mariam, and their newfound frenemy, Waleed Ghilzai, must ban together to help the families find a lasting peace before it destroys both businesses and everything their parents have worked for.
Senzai successfully weaves the dynamics of Afghan culture, history and political wranglings into a classically American mystery story ("Kirkus Reviews"). "